Saturday March 30, 2019 | 6–8pm @ Little Dame Shop

Intro to Brush Lettering. Learn the whimsical language of brush lettering! Each student gets two Brush pens, instructional booklet, and a take home craft! Tea from local @parutebar will be served! Your workshop host Caroline from @letsgocaro

The Insect Show

Friday Febaruary 22, 2019 | 2–10pm @ Good Friday Gallery

We are excited to partner with Little Dame this month to bring you "The Insect Show" featuring pinning Classes with Prey and Profit, taxidermy demo with Pixley's Carousel of Little Dame. Specimen displays from Sierra Teemsma and art By Vincent Schafer, Lex Talkington, and Prey and Profit. Live music with Gloomsday. Link below to reserve your spot at either pinning demo! Sign up quick, spots are limited!

Friday February 14, 2019 | 6–9pm @ Little Dame

We are super excited to share with you that Fifi Martinez is going to be hosting a Solo Exhibit at Little Dame Shop! She is a cartoonist that gets real and raw. We love her aesthetic and style so much and felt that sharing Feb. 14th with her and YOU would be a perfect way to celebrate ♥

There will be snacks, refreshments and @je11ybebe will be DJing some awesome tunes.

A Healin' Experience

Friday January 25, 2019 | 5–9pm @ Little Dame

A night of healin' will be all about letting go of old troubles hindering you from moving on. Burning rituals are usually performed on special holidays, such as New years, to help cleanse and heal from experiences. We will have a candle, paper burning station for anyone to come and perform their ritual at as well as Tarot Card readings will be available by DWrex from 5-8pm.

See you there You can have your paper pre-written out OR write it down right here in the shop before burning.

English Sparrow Taxidermy Workshop

In this workshop, beginners will be introduced to professional techniques used in classic bird taxidermy. The birds used in this class are English sparrows, considered an invasive species, but beautiful nonetheless.

This intensive class will be extremely hands on, covering everything from proper skinning, fleshing, degreasing/washing, and grooming and fluffing downs, to the dynamics of sculpting bird bodies, dealing with bird necks, cleaning and wiring bones, and preserving or re-attaching feet.

We will pay special attention to fitting forms, hidden stitches, and how to groom feathers.

Students can create a naturalistic or fantasy mount. Students will go home with their creations, and instructions for maintaining their pieces

Jackalope and Rabbit Taxidermy Workshop

Saturday February 9, 2018 | 12pm @ Little Dame

This class is designed for beginners to learn professional-level techniques used in small mammal taxidermy. By focusing on the facial features, students will create a rabbit or jackalope shoulder mount that can be affixed to a plaque or hung as is.

Students will learn proper skinning and fleshing procedures, how to split, turn and position facial features, including the ears, proper preservation techniques, grooming, and the traditional methods of sculpting and carving a bust to create a shoulder mount form.

Students can choose to create a natural display, or create a jackalope/hybrid creature using antler pieces, or sculpting their own. As always, students are also welcome to bring their own props or accessories if desired.

Each student will leave class with a fully finished piece, and the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future. It is recommended students bring a bag or box to transport their pieces.

Natural History Shadow Box

Friday February 8, 2019 | 6pm @ Little Dame

In this beginner’s class, students will create their very own natural history shadowbox using preserved wings, heads, insects, and plants. Great for kids and adults! Students will select from a variety of responsibly sourced specimens to make a display that expresses their personal style, from classic Victorian to modern witch.

We will discuss harvesting and preparation of specimen, and in class will practice handling techniques, spreading, mounting, the nuances of posing, display, and maintenance.

All specimen are sustainably sourced. We will be reviewing the origins of the assorted insects used in class, how students can ethically and legally source specimen, and suggested, reputable suppliers.

Divya Anantharaman is an award-winning professional taxidermist based in New York City. Her taxidermy practice was sparked by a lifelong fascination with the intersection of natural mythology and science, and she specializes in birds, small mammals, and anatomic anomalies. With a combination of self and professional training, she creates both fantasy and traditional pieces and teaches classes around the world. Her most recent honor is winning second place in the professional division at the World Taxidermy Championships of 2017, her work is on display in the Chamber of Wonders at the Walter’s Art Museum, and has been profiled in numerous publications as varied as National Geographic, The NY Times, The Cut, BBC Science Radio, and on hit Discovery/Science Channel TV show Oddities. She is also a board member of the New England Association of Taxidermists, and has coauthored the book “Stuffed Animals” being released by W.W. Norton this fall. You can find out more at www.gothamtaxidermy.com

Portal Paintings with Regan Russell

Friday December 21, 2018 | 6–9pm

Come and play with us and Regan Russell! Solo art show! San Diego CA native that creates art that questions and humorously jabs at pop culture, identity and celebrity. Regan Russell believes in the beauty of the absurd.

Punch Needle Rug Hooking Workshop with Christie Beniston

Saturday October 13, 2018 | 6–8pm @ Little Dame

Punch needle rug hooking—sometimes described as "painting with wool"—is a versatile craft that began in the 1880s. In this workshop, you’ll be using a #14 Oxford mini punch needle to make a small wall hanging or “mug rug” (a.k.a. a fancy coaster!). You’ll learn how to use a punch needle, how to create the correct size stitch with the needle, and how to hem your finished projects.

The class fee includes a kit to make one of the 3 designs shown (you can let us know your choice when you sign up for the class) as well as a #14 Oxford Mini Punch Needle, a 7” No-Slip Hoop, monk’s cloth pre-drawn with a pattern, and 100% wool yarn. And because the #14 Oxford Mini Punch Needle makes a smaller loop it allows you to punch into vintage wool and other fabrics, allowing for endless future projects!

Christie Beniston is an artist and designer based in Southern California and has had a thriving art practice for over 25 years. Christie studied punch needle rug hooking with Amy Oxford, an internationally known rug hooker and author and founder of the Oxford Rug Hooking School in Vermont. As a Certified Oxford Punch Needle Instructor, Christie is one of only a handful of instructors on the West Coast and the only one in San Diego, where she established the PUNCH! Rug Hooking Studio in Solana Beach, California. She often collaborates with her daughter Isa, who runs the retail brand Gentle Thrills, and because it’s Gentle Thrills you know there will be surprise goodies!

Full Moon Sale

August 25, 2018 | 6–9pm @ Little Dame

We our hosting our first ever, Full Moon Sale, August 25th 6-9pm where we will be offering blow out prices ranging from 10-75% off. Complimentary Cocktails will be available for guests, because its Saturday and why not!! We will be offering sale items that include retail fixtures like Mannequins and jewelry holders, as well as some of our everyday retail gifts like: Prints, Zines, T-shirts, banners, koozies, dog tanks, and more.

Come stop by on your Saturday evening stroll, shop and have a cocktail with us.

Tess Armstrong Art Pop-Up

Saturday July 28, 2018 | 6–10pm @ Little Dame

Tess is a local San Diego artist! She shares with us on Saturday from 6-10pm a wonderful collection of magical ladies! You can see how much these paintings bring such light and life! She shares her work representing women of color in a way that is not usually seen in mainstream art. Tess hopes that her work can inspire women from all backgrounds!

"I hope you see yourself or someone you know in one of my girls" -Tess Armstrong

Art Pop Up & Coffee Takeover

Saturday July 7, 2018 | 8am–12pm @ Scrimshaw Coffee

July 7th, join us for a special experience within the coffee and arts community. Scrimshaw Coffee on El Cajon Blvd has been kind enough to host us and hang out with us all morning. With every 12 ounce Coffee, you will get served an illustrated coffee cup while supplies last!

In this workshop, beginners will be introduced to professional techniques used in classic bird taxidermy. The birds used in this class are European starlings, considered an invasive species, but beautiful nonetheless.

This intensive class will be extremely hands-on, covering everything from proper skinning, fleshing, degreasing/washing, and grooming and fluffing downs, to the dynamics of sculpting bird bodies, dealing with bird necks, cleaning and wiring bones, and preserving or re-attaching feet.

European Starling Taxidermy workshop with Divya from Brooklyn NY

Sunday June 10, 2018 | 12–6pm @ Little Dame

In this workshop, beginners will be introduced to professional techniques used in classic bird taxidermy. The birds used in this class are European starlings, considered an invasive species, but beautiful nonetheless.

This intensive class will be extremely hands-on, covering everything from proper skinning, fleshing, degreasing/washing, and grooming and fluffing downs, to the dynamics of sculpting bird bodies, dealing with bird necks, cleaning and wiring bones, and preserving or re-attaching feet.

We will pay special attention to fitting forms, hidden stitches, and how to groom feathers.

Students can create a naturalistic or fantasy mount. Students will go home with their creations, and instructions for maintaining their pieces (keeping feathers clean, ideal drying set-ups, etc).

It is recommended students bring a small box or bag to transport their finished pieces.

Divya Anantharaman is an award-winning professional taxidermist based in New York City. Her taxidermy practice was sparked by a lifelong fascination with the intersection of natural mythology and science, and she specializes in birds, small mammals, and anatomic anomalies. With a combination of self and professional training, she creates both fantasy and traditional pieces, and teaches classes around the world. Her most recent honor is winning second place in the professional division at the World Taxidermy Championships of 2017, her work is on display in the Chamber of Wonders at the Walter’s Art Museum, and has been profiled in numerous publications as varied as National Geographic, The NY Times, The Cut, BBC Science Radio, and on hit Discovery/Science Channel TV show Oddities. She is also a board member of the New England Association of Taxidermists, and has coauthored the book “Stuffed Animals” being released by W.W. Norton this fall. You can find out more at www.friendsforevertaxidermy.com

This class is designed for beginners to learn professional-level techniques used in small mammal taxidermy. By focusing on the facial features, students will create a rabbit or jackalope shoulder mount that can be affixed to a plaque or…

Jackalope/Rabbit Taxidermy Workshop by Divya from Brooklyn NY

Saturday June 9, 2018 | 12–6:30pm @ Little Dame

This class is designed for beginners to learn professional-level techniques used in small mammal taxidermy. By focusing on the facial features, students will create a rabbit or jackalope shoulder mount that can be affixed to a plaque or hung as is.

Students will learn proper skinning and fleshing procedures, how to split, turn and position facial features, including the ears, proper preservation techniques, grooming, and the traditional methods of sculpting and carving a bust to create a shoulder mount form.

Students can choose to create a natural display, or create a jackalope/hybrid creature using antler pieces, or be sculpting their own. As always, students are also welcome to bring their own props or accessories if desired.

Each student will leave class with a fully finished piece, and the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future. It is recommended students bring a bag or box to transport their pieces.

Divya Anantharaman is an award-winning professional taxidermist based in New York City. Her taxidermy practice was sparked by a lifelong fascination with the intersection of natural mythology and science, and she specializes in birds, small mammals, and anatomic anomalies. With a combination of self and professional training, she creates both fantasy and traditional pieces and teaches classes around the world. Her most recent honor is winning second place in the professional division at the World Taxidermy Championships of 2017, her work is on display in the Chamber of Wonders at the Walter’s Art Museum, and has been profiled in numerous publications as varied as National Geographic, The NY Times, The Cut, BBC Science Radio, and on hit Discovery/Science Channel TV show Oddities. She is also a board member of the New England Association of Taxidermists and has coauthored the book “Stuffed Animals” being released by W.W. Norton this fall. You can find out more at www.friendsforevertaxidermy.com

In this beginner’s class, students will learn everything about basic insect preparation and preservation-choose to work on a beautiful beetle or gorgeous butterfly. Great for kids and adults! Students will select from a variety of responsibly sourced specimens (there will be plenty of each specimen so there will be something unique for everyone). We will discuss harvesting and drying specimen, rehydrating dried specimen, and in class we will practice handling techniques, spreading, mounting, the nuances of posing, display, and maintenance.

Beetles and Bugs preservation workshop by Divya from Brooklyn NY

Friday June 8, 2018 | 12–5pm @ Little Dame

In this beginner’s class, students will learn everything about basic insect preparation and preservation-choose to work on a beautiful beetle or gorgeous butterfly. Great for kids and adults! Students will select from a variety of responsibly sourced specimens (there will be plenty of each specimen so there will be something unique for everyone). We will discuss harvesting and drying specimen, rehydrating dried specimen, and in class we will practice handling techniques, spreading, mounting, the nuances of posing, display, and maintenance. An assortment of a sustainably sourced specimen in various sizes and shapes will be provided. Students will learn how to put together and maintain their own rehydration chamber, things to check for during all stages of the process to ensure a clean and successful end product, and tips for gentle handling. Students will also build their very own spreading boards for use in class and beyond. We will also cover how to select museum quality materials for displays.

All specimen are sustainably sourced. We will be reviewing the origins of the assorted insects used in class, how students can ethically and legally source specimen, and suggested, reputable suppliers.

Students go home with their own prepared specimen, an extra specimen to work on at home, a spreading board that can be used for future projects, a simple display case, and the knowledge to create their own pieces in the future. It is recommended students bring a small bag or box to transport their pieces.

Divya Anantharaman is an award-winning professional taxidermist based in New York City. Her taxidermy practice was sparked by a lifelong fascination with the intersection of natural mythology and science, and she specializes in birds, small mammals, and anatomic anomalies. With a combination of self and professional training, she creates both fantasy and traditional pieces and teaches classes around the world. Her most recent honor is winning second place in the professional division at the World Taxidermy Championships of 2017, her work is on display in the Chamber of Wonders at the Walter’s Art Museum, and has been profiled in numerous publications as varied as National Geographic, The NY Times, The Cut, BBC Science Radio, and on hit Discovery/Science Channel TV show Oddities. She is also a board member of the New England Association of Taxidermists and has coauthored the book “Stuffed Animals” being released by W.W. Norton this fall. You can find out more at www.friendsforevertaxidermy.com

On Thursday June 7th 6-8pm Kara-Leigh Huse will be hosting a SoulCollage. SoulCollage is a creative collage process in which one creates a personal deck of cards that represent aspects of their personality! Only 8 spots!

Soul Collage with Kara-Leigh Huse

Thursday June 7, 2018 | 6–8pm @ Little Dame

On Thursday June 7th 6-8pm Kara-Leigh Huse will be hosting a SoulCollage. SoulCollage is a creative collage process in which one creates a personal deck of cards that represent aspects of their personality! Only 8 spots!

Beginner level Taxidermy class making wrapped bodies and pre-made cast heads, all the skills to practice the craft on your own. A variety of anthropomorphic and natural props will be available for use by students to create their own taxidermy rat to keep.

Anthropomorphic Rat Class By Emily Bindard

May 20, 2018 | 10am–4pm @ Little Dame

Beginner level Taxidermy class making wrapped bodies and pre-made cast heads, all the skills to practice the craft on your own. A variety of anthropomorphic and natural props will be available for use by students to create their own taxidermy rat to keep.

Rob is a local photography enthusiast and expert practicing portraiture and street photography. Join us to see his recent works in the company of Beers and Cameras crew, Little Dame shop regulars, and the art community!

Street Photography by Rob D/pop up

May 17, 2018 | 6–10pm @ Little Dame

Rob is a local photography enthusiast and expert practicing portraiture and street photography. Join us to see his recent works in the company of Beers and Cameras crew, Little Dame shop regulars, and the art community!